Member Job Description

Primary Focus

Adjudicate review and appeal applications made to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board which may provide financial compensation to eligible claimants

Interpret and apply the Pension Act, the War Veterans Allowance Act and other related statutes.

Specific Accountabilities

Provide an independent review of disability pension and War Veterans Allowance decisions taken by Veterans Affairs Canada by hearing and adjudicating cases. This involves:

• conducting hearings in numerous locations across the country in-person and via video conference;
• deciding cases and ensuring the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act, Pension Act, War Veterans Allowance Act, and other related statutes are properly interpreted; and,
• writing clear reasons for decisions within specified time frames.

Context

The hearing process is non-adversarial. Clients are most often represented at hearings by a lawyer.

Reporting Relationship

Members are independent decision-makers.

Dimensions

Decisions rendered by Members have a direct impact on disability compensation program expenditures.

Recipients receive life long payments or lump sum payments (non-taxable), as well as possible treatment benefits.

Challenges, Issues, and Initiatives

The medical issues presented are increasingly complex and are not always understood by experts in the medical field.

Clients appearing before the Board are usually represented by a lawyer.

Board Members may have to render decisions without an optimal amount of evidence.

Need to balance the demand of assisting Veterans and service members while respecting the applicable legislation.